CLINTON, George (1739-1812). Manuscript document signed ("Geo:Clinton"), New York, 29 September 1789.

One page on vellum, 205 x 355mm. With 85mm wax seal pendant attached.

Governor George Clinton appoints Aaron Burr as New York Attorney General. A controversial appointment by the New York governor who neither liked or trusted Aaron Burr, who had actively campaigned for Robert Yates, who was also supported by Alexander Hamilton in an unsuccessful bid to unseat the powerful Geroge Clinton (who had defeated his father-in-law, Philip Schuyler, for the governor's post in 1777). Following the New York ratification convention in 1788, where Clinton attempted to force a fresh convention to revise the Constitution, Hamilton feared that the New York governor would attempt to undermine the new federal government, he recruited another antifederalist, Robert Yates to run against Clinton in the 1789 election. One of Yates' closest friends, Aaron Burr, joined Hamilton in the campaign.

Clinton still narrowly prevailed in the election and defeated Yates. But the challenge to his political dominance compelled Clinton to shore up his political base, prompting him to offer the post of Attorney General to Burr. "For the first time, Hamilton field betrayed by Burr," and the once cordial rivalry was replaced by bitterness and animosity that culminated in their fatal encounter in 1804.¹